Box



Feb. 11, 1941. n. H. vnm 2,231,515

BOX

Filed Dec. 5, 1938 /3 www lIIIU mvgNT R TTORNEY Patented Feb. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

. The present invention relates in general to improvements in boxes, and relates more specically to improvements in the construction of collapsible cartons formed of sheet material such as cardboard.

Generally defined, an objectof my present invention is to provide an improved collapsible box which is simple in construction and which when assembled provides a rigid container; and the present application is a continuation in part of and is being led in substitution for my prior copending application, Serial No. 175,024, filed November 17, 1937.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide a folding box formed of a single blank having a bottom and side and end walls connected with the bottom, and notched extensions connected with both the side and the end walls, each extension having a diagonal folding crease dividing it into two parts one of which is hingedly connected directly with the adjacent side wall and the other of which is hingedly connected directly with the adjacent end wall. As disclosed in my prior application above referred to, I have heretofore proposed to improve the rigidity of such a box assemblage by providing the part of each of the extensions which are hingedly connected with the adjacent end walls, with a tab connecting the portion thereof remote from its hinged edge directly with the adjacent end wall, and by further providing a projection hingedly connected with each end wall and foldably cooperable with the tabbed parts of the adjacent notched extensions, to firmly retain the box structure in assembled position. While this prior improvement partially accomplishes its intended purpose and prevents ready spreading or separation of the corners of the box due to internal pressure, it does not sufficiently resist both outward spreading and inward collapse at these corners.

It is therefore a more speciiic object of the present invention to provide an improved box assemblage of the general type above referred to, wherein spreading at the corners is most effectively resisted, and in which the corners are firmly locked in assembled condition.

Another specific object of my invention is to provide an improved collapsible box blank which may be readily assembled into box formation from distended condition, to produce an extremely rigid assemblage which cannot be disrupted by relatively great internal or external pressures.

Still another specic object of the invention is to provide a simple and durable cardboard box which may be formed from a blank adapted to be cornpactly initially folded for convenient transportation and which may be produced with minimum waste of stock.

An additional specific object of the present invention is to provide a cardboard carton assemblage, the corners of which are thoroughly reenforced and eectively locked in assembled position.

A further speciiic object of this invention is to provide a new and useful box having exceedingly strong and durable end walls of less thickness than those of similar prior boxes formed of similar material and having comparable strength.

These and other specic objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of embodiments of the several features constituting my present invention, and of the mode of constructing and of assembling boxes built in accordance with the improvement, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specication in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the several views.

Fig. lis a plan View of a completely distended cardboard blank of my present improved type;

Fig. 2 is another plan view of the same blank partly folded for transportation, with the side walls folded over the bottom, and also showing one of the end wall reenforcing and locking portions folded inwardly;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side View of an end of the box during assembly of the blank from the position shown in Fig. 2 into box formation; v

Fig. 4 is a similarly enlarged fragmentary section showing one corner of the box in the act of being finally assembled;

Fig. 5 is a likewise enlarged section through the finally assembled end wall of the box, the section being taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section through the assembled box, looking inwardly toward a completely assembled end wall thereof; and

Fig. is a transverse section through the partially'folded blank of Fig. 2, taken along the line 'l-, and showing the end wall reenforcing portion folded upwardly.

While I have shown the invention applied to only the lower or carrying section of a box having specific dimensions and shape, it is not the intent to thereby unnecessarily limit the scope, and it should be understood that the box cover may be formed of a similar blank and in like manner.

Referring to the drawing, the improved collapsible box shown therein by way of illustration, comprises in general a single substantially rectangular cardboard blank having longitudinal parallel scoring or creases 9, and transverse parallel scoring or creases I0, I I, which divide the blank into a bottom I2, opposite side walls I3, opposite end walls I4, notched extensions I5 hingedly connected with the adjacent edges of the side and end walls I3, I4, and end wall reenforcing portions I6 hingedly associated with the outer edges of the end walls I4. The bottom I2, side walls I3, and end walls I4 are all of approximately rectangular shape, and the size of the assembled box is obviously dependent upon the size of the bottom and of these side and end walls.

The ynotched extensions I5 areY of generally square formation and each of these extensions I5 is provided with a notch II and with a diagonal crease I 8, the outer end of which is connected with the inner end of the corresponding notch Il by a slit I9. The creases I8 and slits I9 permit .the inner portions 20 of the extensions I5 which are directly attached to the side walls I3 by the creases I3 to fold inwardly at right-angles to the walls I3 when the latter are swung perpendicular to the bottom I2; and simultaneously permit the outer portions 2l of these extensions I 5 which are directly attached to the end walls I4 by the creases 9, to fold between the inner portions 2B .and the adjacent end Walls I4 when the latter are elevated. lThe outer portion 2| of each notched extension I5 is provided with an integral central tab 22, the swinging end of which is adhesively attached to the inner surface of Ithe adjacent end wall I4 as clearly shown in Fig. '7, and these tabs 22 .are extremely important since they firmly retain the side walls I3 in assembled position when the structure is finally assembled. The tabs 22 may extend in either `direction with respect to the creases 9, and may also be of any desired length.

The end wall reenfor-cing portions I6 which are l hingedly connected with the outer edges of the end walls I 4, are of the same length as these walls but of considerably less width or height. Each of the reenforcing portions I 6 is provided with slits forming complementary sets of outer locking ilaps 23 and tongues 24, and the inner end of each of these flap-forming slits preferably has a reversely curved portion which serves to prevent the adjoining flaps 23 and tongues 24 from tearing at their junctions with the adjacent portion I6. The portions I6 are moreover provided with central tabs 25 which are adapted to be adhesively or otherwise attached to the medial portions of the inner surfaces of the end walls I4 as shown in Fig. 6. As clearly shown in Figs, 3 to 6 inclusive, the lateral aps 23 of the portions I6 are adapted to be inserted between the folds of the adjacent notched extensions I5; and the longitudinal locking tongues 24 of these reenforcing portions I6 are adapted to hook over the innermost notched portions 20 of the extensions I5 when the box is being `assembled and to ultimately enter semi-circular openings 26 formed in the inner portions 20 of the extension-s I5, so that the flaps 23 and tongues 24 at each corner coact and interlock with the corresponding notched extension I5 to rmly lock .the assemblage in open or assembled position.

As previously mentioned, the top or cover of the box may be formed in precisely the same manner as the bottom section, but the top area which corresponds to the bottom I2 of the lower blank, should be made slightly larger than the bottom I2 so as to permit the top section to be slipped over the bottom section. The end Walls of the top section may obviously be assembled and reenforced identically the same `as in the bottom section.

After the blanks have been formed as shown in Fig. 1, each blank may be folded for compact shipment as shown in Fig. 2, but with both reenforcing portions I6 thereof folded inwardly as illustrated at the right end of Fig. 2. The tabs 22 of the notched extensions I5 and the tabs 25 of the portions II'should however be permanently attached to the adjacent end walls I4 as indicated in Figs. 6 and '7, when the blanks are folded for shipment and stacking. Each blank may subsequently be quickly assembled as shown in Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive; by merely initially elevating or raising the side walls I3 thereby causing the notched extensions Ito fold along the creases I0, I8 and to simultaneously swing the end walls I4 upwardly as indicated in Fig, 3. Each end wall I4 may thereafter be swung to-ward final upright position as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, and during such movement of the end wall I4 the corresponding reenforcing portion I6 should be folded over the upper edges of the adjacent notched portions .26. The flaps 23 should then be distorted and positioned within the space between the portions 20, 2I of the extensions I5, while the tongues 24 should be caused to ride over the tops of the notched portions 20. the end wall I4 assumes perpendicular position, fthe tongues 24 should be inserted within the corresponding openings 26, as shown in Fig. 5, thereby finally completing the assemblage and positively locking the end walls I4 in assembled position. The nal assembly is shown in both Figs. 5 and 6, and with the box thus assembled the flaps 23 and tongues 24 cooperate with the tabs 22, 25 to rmly hold the walls in position.

When the box has been finally assembled as above described, the tabs 22, 25 will effectively prevent outwardly displacement of the end walls I4 near the corners of the box, and the flaps 23 and tongues 24 will assist the tabs 22 in preventing spreading of the side walls I3 at these corners. The interlocking of the tongues 24 and flaps 23 with the portions 20, will effectively prevent both outward spreading and inward collapse of the box near the corners, and the slight hook portions at the ends of the slits which form the flaps 23 and tongues 24 will prevent ready tearing of the reenforcing portions I6 during application of the locking elements. It will b'e apparent that the improved assemblage provides a rigid box which may be formed of relatively thin stock and which has only single-ply thickness at the side walls I3. The end walls I4 are not unduly bulky considering the fact that they lock the structure in assembled position, and the assemblage can be quickly opened by merely reversing the assembling voperation and by removing the tongues 24 from the openings 26 and the flaps 23 from between the extension portions 20, 2|. The improved blank is obviously of relatively simple construction and by initially assembling the blanks as illustrated in Fig. 2, they may be compactly stacked for shipment or storage. The improved box structure has proven highly satisfactory and may obviously be manufactured at minimum cost with minimum waste of material.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the present invention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of assemblage, herein shown and described, for various improvements within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A folding box comprising, a blank having a bottom and side and end walls connected with the bottom, extensions connected with both of the adjacent side and end Walls, each of said extensions having a diagonal folding crease dividing the same into two parts one of which has an opening therein and is hingedly connected directly with the adjacent side wall and the other of which is hingedly connected directly with the adjacent end Wall and has a tab additionally connecting the same directly with said end wall, and a nap and a tongue carried by each end wall, said tongue being cooperable with said opening and said flap being cooperable with the corresponding extension part to lock the blank in assembled position.

2. A folding box comprising, a blank having a bottom and side and end walls connected with the bottom, extensions connected with both of the adjacent side and end walls, each of said extensions having a diagonal folding crease dividing the same into two parts one of which has an opening therein and is hingedly connected directly with the adjacent side wall and the other of which is hingedly connected directly with the adjacent end wall and has a tab additionally connecting the same directly with said end wall, and a reenfor-cing portion projecting from the free edge of each of said end walls, each of said reenforcing portions having a flap and a tongue at each end thereof, said tongues being cooperable with said openings in the adjacent eX- tension parts and said flaps being cooperable with said extension parts to lock the blank in assembled position.

3. A folding box comprising, a blank having a bottom and side and end walls connected with the bottom, extensions connected with both of the adjacent side and end walls, each of said extensions having a diagonal folding crease and a transverse slit dividing the same into two parts, one of which has an opening therein and is hingedly connected directly with the adjacent side wall and the other of which is hingedly connected directly with the adjacent end wall and has a tab additionally connecting the same dinectly with said end wall, and a flap and a tongue carried by each end wall, said tongue being cooperable with said opening and said flap being cooperable with said slits of the corresponding extensions to lock the blank in assembled position.

4. A folding box comprising, a blank having a bottoni and side and end walls connected with the bottom, extensions connected with both of the adjacent side and end walls, each of said extensions having a diagonal folding creas-e and a transverse slit dividing the same into two parts, one of which has an opening therein and is hingedly connected directly with the adjacent side Wall and the other of which is hingedly connecte-d directly with the adjacent end wall and has a tab additionally connecting the same directly with said end wall, and a reenforcing portion projecting from the free edge of each of said end walls, each of said reenforcing portions having a iiap and a tongue at each side thereof, said tongues being cooperable with said openings in the adjacent extension parts and said flaps being cooperable with said slits of said extensions to lock the blank in assembled position.

RICHARD H. VOIGT. 

